The Chicago Cubs are making a serious push to reinforce their bullpen this offseason, and they’ve struck a deal with veteran right-hander Phil Maton that could pay off in a big way. The team has agreed to a two-year contract, with a club option for a third year, though the financial terms haven’t been disclosed.
Maton, 32, had a strong showing in the 2025 season, splitting time between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. Across 63 games, he posted a 2.79 ERA, showing that he can still be a reliable arm in high-leverage situations.
Throughout his career, Maton has been the definition of a journeyman reliever. Since making his major league debut in 2017 with the San Diego Padres, he has played for several teams, including Cleveland, Houston, Tampa Bay, New York, St. Louis, and Texas. In nearly 480 career appearances, he has a 3.98 ERA.
What makes Maton particularly appealing to the Cubs is his advanced pitching profile. He doesn’t rely on high velocity—in fact, his fastball averaged just under 91 mph last season—but makes up for it with excellent command, deception, and a diverse arsenal of pitches. His cutter, curveball, sweeper, and sinker give him multiple looks, and his whiff rates on those pitches are among the best.
Chicago’s bullpen needs are significant. Several key relievers from the 2025 team are now free agents, leaving a potentially large gap in the late innings. By signing Maton, the Cubs are expecting him to bring stability and experience—almost certainly in a setup role, rather than as a closer.
According to reported details, the deal includes a club option for 2028. That gives Chicago flexibility: if Maton continues performing at a high level, they can keep him around for a third year; if not, they’re not fully committed beyond two seasons.
The signing is pending a physical, a standard step for free-agent acquisitions of this level.
This move is also somewhat in line with Maton’s career pattern. He’s never been a long-term fixture on any single team, but he has carved out a role as a high-usage reliever who can be deployed in many different kinds of innings.
For the Cubs, Maton’s addition is a bet on both reliability and upside. His performance last season—especially his ability to generate strikeouts and limit damage—suggests he could be one of their most important late-inning arms.
In context, this is the Cubs’ first major free-agent reliever signing this offseason, and it signals a more deliberate approach to their bullpen construction. The front office seems focused on locking in a proven, high-leverage arm rather than gambling on unproven youth or overpaying for a closer.
Maton’s veteran experience is especially valuable given the changes in Chicago’s relief corps. Several key pieces from last season have departed or could depart, so adding someone with Maton’s track record and pitch mix helps ground the bullpen.
This deal could also have implications for how the Cubs use him. He’s not being signed primarily to close games, but rather to work in late-and-high-leverage situations, set up for a closer, or even pitch multiple innings when needed. This multi-role flexibility is something the Cubs need.
Maton’s command and his ability to miss bats make him particularly useful. In 2025, he struck out 81 batters in 61 ⅓ innings, demonstrating his ability to be more than just a matchup arm—he can be a go-to piece in the back half of the bullpen.
From Maton’s perspective, this could be one of his more stable contracts. Rather than being traded or signing a one-year deal again, he now has a multi-year commitment, giving him a chance to settle in and potentially become a cornerstone piece for Chicago’s relief staff.
If the club option is picked up, it shows that the Cubs trust him enough to plan for the longer term, not just as a short-term fix. And if they decline it, they’re not locking in too far ahead—they maintain flexibility.
This signing could also pay off in terms of mentorship. Maton’s been around the league, seen a ton of different situations, and could help younger relievers navigate high-pressure moments, especially in late innings.
For Chicago fans, the move indicates that the front office is serious about replicating or even improving upon their bullpen success from last season. With Maton now in the mix, the Cubs appear to be laying the foundation of a more dependable back end.
Of course, there’s always risk. Relievers are notoriously volatile, and multi-year deals for relievers can backfire if performance dips or injuries occur. But Maton’s 2025 performance suggests he’s hitting a peak, which makes the risk more calculated.
The timing is right, too. Coming off a strong year—one of the best of his career—Maton is in a position to command a more stable contract. For Chicago, getting him now could be a savvy move before the market for relievers explodes or before teams lock up other high-leverage arms.
Overall, the signing of Phil Maton by the Cubs is more than just adding another reliever. It’s a strategic play to solidify their bullpen, provide late-inning flexibility, and possibly groom a veteran piece who can anchor the back half of the pitching staff. The two-year deal with a club option gives both security and flexibility, and if things go well, this could be one of the more underrated offseason wins for Chicago.
